Seeder of dropping mechanism for planters.



HQ L. DooLEY.

Patented Aug. 3, 1915.

SEEDER 0R DROPPING MECHANISM FOR PLANTERS.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 24, 1910.

-COLUMBIA PLANOOBAPH to., WASHING-IDN. D. c.

HARRY it.` DooLEY, or :econ` rsLAND, ILLINOIS..

SEEDER OR DROPPING- MEGHNISM- FORv :PLA:WIE-lits.`

speeication of Letters Patent Patented Aug. 3, 1915.

Application med' March 24, 19101 serial No. 551,231.

To all whom it may] concern .f

Be it lrnown'that I, HARRY L.- DooLEY, a citizen of the United States, 'residing at Rock Island,I inthe countyy of Rock Island and State' of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Seede'rs or Dropping Mechanism forPlanteraof which the following is specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawing.-

This invention relates to improvementsr in seed separating" mechanisms *for* planters and hasA more particularly todo with corn plan-t# ers of the check row type My invention is not limited, however, touse with planters'of this type and my improved construction is equally adapted for usewith machines of other classes. t, `f f In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification I have illustrated f my improvements infconne'ction withv certain other corn planter parts whicharev more fully shown and described in "my 'copends ing application forimprovemen'tsfin planters filed March 24th, 1910,-/Serial Number 551,232. y f 1 Of the drawings: Figure l 'is a fragmentary detailed view of the' mechanism at the bottom of the hoppers -of atwo row corn planter, that of the right` hopper being shown in rear elevation, whilethat of the left hopper isshown ink vertical section". Fig. 2 is a plan view of the seeding mechanism at the bottom of one of the hoppers. Fig. 3 is a plan view of one ofthe ysame mechanisms, showing `the stationary bottom plate of the hopper "thrownback to uncover the seed plate. Fig. 4 isl a fragmentary sec-y tional view taken on the line 4 4 of Fig.V 2.' Fig. 5 is a detailed view showing in elevas tion the' inner side of ya 'fragment' ofthe 'seed plate. Fig. G is azplan view/cfa portion kof the seed plate, the adjustability of one sec-y tion of the plate relative tothe otherbeing' indicated by dotted' lines(r Fig. de tailed sectional view taken on the line 7-7- of Fig. 2, showing the cutoif and knockout' devices which coperate with theseed plates-" Each ofthe hoppersand seed separa-ting' mechanisms isfmounted upon ar franuestrucr-` ture 57, which in'turn may be connectedwith the forward transverse rplanter or` "runner" frame. Rotatably secured'upon this part- 57, and held inplacefby a plate' '59is abevel gear platey 58, uponrwh-ichare provided, preferably three, 'concentricseries of gear teeth. VEach of the gear plates 58 serves to diri-ve thek Seed lseparating mechanism above 1t in a manner which will be fully'set forth hereinafter.k i y For driving the gear plates I have shown amechanism which' is fully described in my co-p`ending application before referred to. This mechanism forms no' part of my present inventionk and a detailed description will not, therefore, be` necessary. It is sucient to say that it-consists of a transverse rotatable shaft-11j,4 uponv which, near eachy end, are mounted three'bevel gears 54', 55 and' 56, each of which is adapted to mesh with onel of the series of `bevel' gear teeth of the plate f 58. By longitudinally moving the shaft 1l, by means of the kparts indicated at 419 and 52 any pair' of the pinions 54, 5'5 or 56 may be operatively connected with they shaft and may serve totransmit to the platesff The shaft 11 may be so'connected with lthe main driving wheels of the planterthat it is given a lhalf revolution correspondingto each engagement of a check row mechanism with ,o

a check wiretappet'.A It` will: be observed that on account of the different diameters of thev rows of teeth on the gearplates 58, they will be rotated` through different angles in'accordancefwith which pinion is in oper-y ative engagement with' the shaft 1l. In this way, as will be more particularly set forth hereinafter, the number' of seed ker nels deposited in each hill may be varied.

Each gearplate 58i is provided with a series of upstanding lugs 58.v Above the gear' 58 is disposed `the seed plate which is designated asffan entirety'by 6l. Thel seed plate isl rotatably' mounted7 upon a bearing means offthepin toI the hopper base lor supporting casting 57. The lower side of tl1e`^seerfl-p'lateis lformed with two diametrically' opposite depending lugs 64 which are designed to enfg'ag'e the upstanding lugs 58zr ofthe gear 58 so that the seed plato is driven 'byv saidwgear. The lugs 64,- together withy other" depending lugs 65, 'serve also to center theseed plate `and maintain it in proper'operative relation 't`o the other parts.

The seed "plate,whic`h I have designated as an entirety byy 6l,`cons`ists` of two annular parts 69 and 70, the former resting' upon the latter as is lclearly shown in Figs. 1 and 4. The' two parts 69 and 70 are Vsecurely clamped together by bolts 71, which extend c plate part 7() is formed with an upward exthrough slots'l72 Yand holes ,72" inthe plate parts 69 and 70, the object of these slots being to permit a relative .circumferential adjustment of the parts 69and 70. The plate part 69 is formed at its outer edges with a series of lugs or teeth 69a, which have horizontal .topj surfaces Aand beveled 7 or inclined sides as is best shown in Fig. 4. Adjacent these teeth 69a are similar teeth 7 0, the adjacent ends of the teeth 69a and 70'r1 being formed to lit each other as indicated at 7 3 in Figli.` Adjacent each of the teeth 7 0ZL the tension 70b which rises only to the upper surfaces of the plate part 69 and these extensions and the plate part 70 proper are formed with a beveled surface' 70 which lies preferably at an angle of 45o tothe horizontal. Each of the spaces between the teeth 70a and 69a" constitutesy an individual seed cell and as this space is somewhat greater than the circumferential length of the lug or extension 7 0b, the length of the seed cell l' may be varied by adjusting the plate part 69 on the part 70, provision thus being made for seedsr of different lengths.v Y

i Disposed above the seed plate is the crowned vbottom plate A74 of the hopper, said plate being. carried by and preferably cast integral with, the ring 7 5 which is ournaled on the pin 63 and is provided with a slotted lug 75?L designed to rest upon a similar lug 57a of the supporting casting 57. A swinging bolt. 76 having awingedvnut 77 serves toclmp the ring part 75 upon the casting5 y. i j

7 8 is a spring catch mounted on the ring 7 5 `and designed to engage a lug on the seed plate supporting ring 62 to detachably connect the ring 7 5 and the seed supporting ring 62. .The inner, lower edge of the ring 7 5is beveled or inclined at 7 5b so as to form a surface over-lying the adjacent inclined sides of the seed plate teeth 69a and 70.a and so as to form the upper and outer sidesof the seed cells. At its rearside the seed plate supporting ring 62 and thev casting 57 .beneath it are formed witha discharge opening f? 9, through Vwhich theseeds Ipass to the dropping mechanism. Above .and to-y one side of the openingv 79 are mounted the knock-out 80 and the cut loflz 81 respectively.` The knock out 80 is in the form of a pivoted dogadapted to ride over the upper faces of the seedplate teeth and to be forced down between said teeth by a coil spring 82 as the seed plate moves one seed cell after another under the knock out. Thev cut 0E 81 is also in the form of a pivoted dog. c. The free end of the cut off has a horizontal lower edge 81a which at one end rests upon the hopper bottom 74 and closely overlies theupper horizontal faces of the seed plate teeth 69a, 7 0a. In this position the cut off is held yieldingly by a coilspring 83. v

ter'towa'rdrits edge. -And at its periphery this plate is formed with peculiar curved serrations 74a (see Fig. 2), and this serrated edge isbeveled'off somewhat. The sloping sides of Vthe plate 74 and the beveled or rounded inner side of the ring `75 form a sort of annular channel at the bottom. of the hopperinto which the seeds tend to move under the action of gravity. 1t will be fobserved thatthe innerk Wall .of the ring-75 overlies the seed cells. In this way the seeds inthe cells are in a large part protected from the disturbing action of the superposed seeds in the seed channel. At the bottom of this'channel are the upstanding parts of the teeth 69a of the seed plate and they serve to agitate the seeds at the bottom of the mass as the plate turns. Thus as the seeds find their way down over the outer edge of the hopper bottom 74, they come into the range of Aaction of the seed plate teeth and, under the combined action of the said teeth and the outwardly curved serrations of plate 74, the seeds move ygradually forward and outward toward the seed cells into which they slide edgewise. LThe ,entrance of the seeds into the cells is greatly Vfacilitated because the cellsy are inclined, or, in other words, extend downward and outward in the general direction in which the seeds move in the annular channel at the bottom of the hopper. As a cell containinga seed or kernel of corn approaches and moves under the cut 01T 81, any

superposed seed or seeds tending to find entrance to the same cell are separated by the cut off so that the single seed passes under and is discharged by the knock out into the passage 79. It will be observed that the teeth 69a and 70EL which form the end walls of the cells extend upward above the main surface of thelplate, openings beingthus provided in the inner upper edges of the cells below the tops thereof through which the seeds can enter. These side openings greatly facilitate theentranceof seeds into the cells.

I have carefully explained the formation ofl the seed cells, pointing out that the inclined bottom walls 0c thereof are inclined to the plane of the seed plate, being preferably disposed'at an angle of about 45, and also that the active edge `'of-the cut ofi' is disposed horizontally above said cells as they pass thereunder. ,By reason of this inclination of the cell walls relative to the edge or face of the cut off, the-seeds'or kernels of comparatively widely varying widths are accurately separated` and individually discharged,-for itis clear thatwith two kernels, lying on their sides at an, angle of 450, or indeed at anyfangl'e lessthan 9,09, and of different widths, the dierencein the clearlso yofay muchv wider seed or kernel, thatwould be possible if the Walls of the seed cell and the edge ofthe cut off were at right angles to each other. This wide variability in width of seed that can be accurately separated, combinedvvith the longitudinal (circumferential) adjustment of the seed cell,

gives my improved y,seed plate mechanism a very widerange inits adaptability tothe planting of seeds of varyingfkinds and.. sizes, for it is well understood thatt is the width and length of the `corniseed or kernel that are subject tothe greatest variation, the variation of the third dimension, z'. e. the thickness of the kernel, being relatively very small. It is clear thaty my improved seed plate with the inclined cells takes advantage of this characteristic of the co-rn seed.,

It will be knoted that -I have shown ya seed plate having twelve cells.` This number, of course, can be varied, but thepini'ons 54, 55 and 56 and the gear plate 58 must be so designed in relation to the seed plate` that when one of the pinions is in operation, as for instance, 56, the seed plate will be moved at each actuation ofthe shaft 1l to an angle suchy as to cause, say four kernels to be deposited. When the pinion` is in operation, three kernelsfinay Ibe deposited, and when the pinion 5.4 is in operation, two kernels may be deposited.k t

The action of a seed plate having the essential features ,of the plate herein described is materially different from`-` that of one of either of the main classes of those heretofore used. The cells in each'plate of one class have usually had relatively large apertures between kthe `periphery and the center, and entirely surrounded ,by metal, the parts being intendedand designed for the reception of two, three, `or more kernels, iiatwise. The kernels did not enter thecells in any predetermined position in relation to the plate. In each plate of the other class the cells were formed at the periphery with the design and intention of having thecorn kernel before entering the cell turned upward from an edgewise horizontal into an edgewise vertical position. After entering, it was carried around while standing at 900 to the horizontal, sliding or riding upon one of its edges on the stationary metal below the bottom of the cell. With plates of the latter class, it has been found that the yimf pedance to the kernels getting yinto this perpendicular positionhas greatly enhanced the th-je upright position and inaccuracyy in thel delivery of the number predetermined yfor planting. The cells, yto

,a large percentage,l are carried around fempty. One of the principal causes for this `is the fact that if a kernel in a vhorizontal position reaches the cell mouth, it does not `(when considered even by itself) easily take drop edgewise into the vertical cell; and this difficulty is greatly increased by the neighboring kernels and kespecially those above it `which tend to hold itI flatwise horizontally and interfere with its readilyturning upward 90o to permit the; vertical drop.

f One gof the purposes of the present con struction is to provide a cell into which the kernels shall separately slide or settle with out requiring their turning to, and standing at,x90o to the horizontal. The squeezing from the weight of the mass above each kernel assists in its outward travel into the cell at 459, or thereabout. The conformation of the upper surface of the cap plate 74 at the` bottom of the hopper is such that radial lines `along this surface approximately coincide with the radial lines of the top surface of the inclined bottoms of the cell.` Consequently, the outwardvmovement under the squeezing action of the mass, enhanced by thegagitation of the stirring de- 9 vices, causes the seeds to easily slide outward until they cometo their' place of rest in thecell, their inner `edgesat no time being required to rise beyond the 45 inclination. Assoon as the kernel has entered its cell, the neighboring wall of the hopper bottom serves as a cut-olf to prevent interference with the kernel therein from those which areadjacent.

l. In a planter seed separating mechanism, the combination of a rotatable seed plate having a circular series of seed re# ceiving cells each with an inner Hat wall tangent to a circleof rotation, a stationary annular wall adjacent the cells ofthe plate and parallel tothe inner flat walls thereof, inclosedspaces being thus formed each of which is capable of receiving only a single corn kernel in an edgewise manner and of holding itwith its axis horizontal and with its fiat yfaces indefinite positions angularlv with respect to the horizontal, and a cut-off having its active face disposed approximately at an angle of 450 to the planes of the stationary annular wall and of the inner walls of the notches.

y2. ln a planter seed separating mechanism, the combination ofa rotatable seed platehaving a circularseries of seed receiving cells each with an inner flaty wall tangent to a circle of rotation and at an angle of approximately 4:50 to the horizontal, a stationary annular wall adjacent the cellsr of the plate and parallel to the inner inclined walls thereof, inclosed spaces being thus formed each of which isV capable of l'receiving only a'single corn kernel in an kedgewise vmanner and of holding it with its axis horizontal and with its fiat faces at an angle of approximately `to the horizontal, and a cut-off havingl its active face disposed approximately horizontally, substantially as set forth.

3. In a planter, a seed separating mechanism comprising a seed plate having a circumferential series of individual `seed cells with their seed supporting side walls inclined to the plane of rotation ofthe plate, up-standing "teeth between the cells having their upper surfaces above the entrances to the cells and parallel to the plane of rotation of the seed plate, and a cut-off having its active edge lying parallely and closely adjacent the upper'surfaces ofthe teeth.

4L; In a planter, a seed separating mechanism comprising a hopper base, a rotary seed plate having a circumferential series of radially extending teeth, the outer edge or surface of the plate between the said teeth being inclined to the planev of rotation of the plate and the adjacent -wall of the hopper base being parallel to said inclined surface, whereby there-is formed a circumferential series of individuall seed cells having their side walls inclined to the plane of rotation of the plate, and a cut-off having its active face or edge disposed parallel to the said plane ofv rotation.

- 5*.'In` a planter, a seed separating plate having a'series of circumferential seed cells, each adapted to hold va single seed in edgewise position with its axis 'perpendicular toa radius of the plate and each having a wall adaptedy to engage with and support one of the widerfaces of a seed, the said platecomprising meansfor adjusting the length of the cells.

6. In a planter, a seed separating plate having a series of circumferential seed cells, each adapted to hold a single seed in edgewise position with its axis perpendicular to a radius of the plate and each having a wall adapted to engage with and support one of the-wider faces of a seed, the said plate comprising means for adjusting the length of the cells, in combination with means lying closely vadjacent to each cell and'adapted tofengage the other wider face of the seed and hold the seed-in the cell.

7. In a planter, a seed separating plate having a series of circumferential seed cells, each adapted to hold a single seed in edgewise positionwith its axis perpendicular to a radius of the plate and each having a wall adapted to engage with and support one of the wider faces ofa seed, the said `plate comprising means for adjusting the length of the cells, incombination 'with ia stationary annular wall lyingfclosely adjacent to each cell and adapted'to engage'the other wide face of the seed and hold the seed in thecell.

8. -A'seed separating plate for planters comprising'a disk provided with equally spaced radial teeth, a second disk provided with equally spaced radial teeth arranged alternately with respect to the teeth ofthe rst disk and circumferentially overlapping them respectively, one of the plates having cell forming walls adjacent respectively to its teeth and extending circumferentially, each wall being adapted to engage one of the Awider faces of a seed, a stationary annular wall adjacent the outer surfaces of theteeth and parallel to the said cell forming walls and adapted toengage the Vother faces of the seeds to hold them in the cells, and means whereby the tw'o plates may be relatively adjusted angularly to vary the ylength of the cells.` i'

9. Ina seedlplanterpa rotary horizontal seedV plate having peripheral seed cellsy open Vat their upper inner edges and eachv capable `plate having peripheral seed cells open at Vtheir upper inneredges and each adapted to receive andvcarry a single kernel, in combinationy with a stationary wall adjacent to the edges of the plate, the seed plate and the wall each having-downward and outward inclined surfaces one adjacent to the bottom flatsurface and the other adjacent to the top flat surface of the kernel.

11. In a planter, a' lhorizontal rotatable seed plate having y,seed cells each formed with a surface inclined tothe horizontal and adapted to contact with the wider face of a seed lying above it and support it, in combination with means for holding the seed in an inclined position, and agitating devices immediately adjacent toy the said cells and positioned above the main surface of the plate for agitating the kernels in the mass immediately above them.

12. Ina planter, a seeder plate having peripheral cells each formed with a bottom wall inclined to the horizontal, in combination *with a stationary wall `having an inclinedL face immediately'adjacent to the cells.'

13. For a planter, a seeder plate having a downward and outward inclined peripheral walland a series of teeth projecting outward and upward from the said peripheral wall, cells being-formed between each pair of Vadjacent teeth, each adapted to retain only a single seed with one of its wider faces supported on the said peripheral wall,

and each of the said teeth comprising two parts which are circumferentially adjustable relatively to each other.

14. The combination with the rotatable seed plate having cells and projections adjacent to the cells and extending upward above the body of the plate, of channelforming parts above the cells providing an upwardly widening channel and including walls inclined to the path of the cells against which walls the kernels can impinge when in contact with the said projections.

15. For a planter, a rotatable seeder plate having a series of inclined seed supports holding the seeds in inclined positions, in combination with an overhanging stationary wall lying closely adjacent to and partially covering the seeds while they are so held.

16. In a planter, a seed plate provided with a series of seed cells each having a downward and outward inclined seed supporting wall and end walls extending vertically above the upper inner edge of the said inclined wall, an opening in the side of the cell being thus provided between the top of the cell and the said wall, in combination with a stationary annular wall parallel to the said inclined seed supporting walls adapted to hold the seeds in positions in the cells.

17. A seed withdrawing and delivering device for a planter, consisting of a rotatable seed plate having cells at its periphery, each having an inclined bottom and each adapted to'receive a kernel while sliding radially outward thereinto on an inclined path, a stationary abutment at the lower outer edges of the said cells with which the kernels engage and along which they may be moved edgewise, a seed receptacle above the plate, a bottom cap in said receptacle having an upper surface sloping downward and outward, the radial lines of the said surface approximately coinciding with the radial lines of the cell bottom, and means above the cells to prevent more than a single kernel entering each, said parts being arranged substantially as described whereby the kernels are caused under the action of gravity and the pressure of the superincumbent mass to slide into the cells on outward and downward inclined lines and at the end of their outward travel are held until delivery on the inclined cell bottom.

In testimony whereof I afliX my signature, in presence of two witnesses.

HARRY L. DOOLEY.

Witnesses:

ANNA KNUDSEN, Tnnononn M. HANDUL.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for ve cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents.

' Washington, QV. 

